STARKVILLE, Miss. --- University of Georgia junior Kristyn Sandberg has been named the NFCA Division I National Player of the Week according to an announcement made Tuesday afternoon.

Sandberg, a catcher/infielder from Island Park, N.Y., helped the Bulldogs to a sweep of 18th-ranked Kentucky and provided a strong offensive showing in a double header with ninth-ranked Tennessee. Over the five games on the week, Sandberg batted .629 (9-for-13) elevating her season batting average .055 points to .311. The performance also raised her Southeastern Conference batting average .118 points to .391.

Seven of Sandberg's nine hits went for extra-base hits with five doubles and two home runs to give her a slugging percentage of 1.538.

From game two versus Tennessee through game two against Kentucky, Sandberg recorded hits in eight-straight at-bats and reached base in 10-straight plate appearances with a walk and a hit-by-pitch. Those streaks were snapped by lineout in game three against the Wildcats, but Sandberg finished that game with a hit and two walks to close the final four games of the week reaching base in 13-of-14 plate appearances.

Sandberg's three hits in game two versus Tennessee and game one against Kentucky tied a career-high, and her four RBI in game two of the UK series also tied a career high. Additionally, Sandberg fielded a perfect 1.000 with 32 chances.

The National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division I Player of the Week honor is the first weekly honor of Sandberg's career, and it marks the first time a Bulldogs has received the award since Kate Gaskill did so on March 18, 2008. Sandberg joins Gaskill and Michelle Green (April 6, 2005) as the only Bulldogs in program history to earn the distinction.

Sandberg becomes the second Bulldog this season to earn national player of the week honors. Senior Brianna Hesson was named the USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Week on March 29.

Sandberg, Hesson and the Bulldogs return to action on Wednesday as they travel to Atlanta for a second meeting with in-state rival and 23rd-ranked Georgia Tech. Georgia defeated the Yellow Jackets earlier this season in Athens, 10-2, in five innings.